Initial 2020/21 Opening Plan
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Ukiah Unified School District 2020-2021 School Year Opening Plan Table of Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Communication Plan 3. Health and Safety 4. Learning Continuity and Instructional Models for 2020-2021 a. Model Descriptions b. Schedules Appendix: Ukiah Unified Health Protocols Matrix Introduction In March of 2020, almost all California schools closed their physical campuses and moved to distance learning to address the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Shelter in Place order in an effort to flatten the curve of infection rates and protect the health and safety of our communities. This allowed hospitals and the public health systems to respond to hospitalizations, lack of equipment, and to allow scientists to continue research on the novel virus. Now we are in the difficult time of opening up California counties under phase 3 of the State’s plan with balancing health and safety and the education of our children. California schools are in the process of planning for the reopening of schools in the 2020-2021 school year under rapidly changing conditions of COVID-19 infection rates, budget changes and mandated requirements. To this end, this planning document addresses multiple scenarios of instructional programs based on the changing pandemic and the health of our students and staff, and provides options for families when school reopens in August, 2020. In addition, the plan addresses the safety efforts that will be in place when school opens. We know that as the COVID-19 pandemic situation changes, we will need to be flexible and able to respond quickly to those changes. We know that the education of our students and the effects of how we run our schools has large impacts on families, and we make all of our decisions with great care and consideration. This reopening plan was developed after careful consideration and guidance from the Mendocino County Public Health Officer, the California Department of Public Health Guidance documents, the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidance documents, and input from surveys and stakeholder groups. Communication Plan Providing frequent, transparent, two-way communication is always a priority in Ukiah Unified, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important. Ensuring our staff, students, parents, and community are informed is key to working through this uncertain time. Communication Methods District Website: Flags important messages on the home page so that families will see the message before they are able to visit any other sections of the website. www.uusd.net Includes hyperlinks that connect to our District Learning-related web pages, for example: Virtual Learning Technology Resources Includes links to each individual school site’s website for information specific to the site, including announcements, calendar events, staff, and instructional programs. Families are encouraged to email the principal of their school and/or call the school site if they have questions or concerns. UUSD Information Available in English and Spanish at 707-472-5003 for families needing Hotline support and to answer questions. Used to disseminate key messages. Social media has the benefit of two-way communication with families. Many school sites have their own social media Facebook accounts that are shared with families. Questions have been asked and answered in the comment sections of posts and through messaging. Mendocino County and District news releases are sent to these outlets. Ukiah Daily Journal, Al Northern California Punto Spanish Newspaper, Dos Mundos Spanish Newspaper, Lake County Media Outlets Record-Bee, Willits News, Willits Weekly, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, MATV, KNTI, KUKI, Bicoastal Media stations, KOZT, Mendocino Voice, KZYX&Z, KUNK, KWINE, Mendo News Facebook Group, and radio bilingüe. Weekly Parent, Staff, Regular communications are sent out to all parents, staff, and outside and Community educational agencies through phone call, email, text message, website Communication update, Facebook post and press release. At a minimum, scheduled for every Friday at 3:00 p.m. to start the year. Outside Educational Messages such as educational programs, events, important dates and times, Agencies and Youth deadlines, and information about food distribution are shared through these Organizations partner communication channels. Mendocino Office of Education, Boys and Girls Club, Coyote Valley Library, Hopland Pomo, Redwood Valley Pomo, Pinoleville Pomo, Redwood Academy, St, Mary’s, Ukiah Junior Academy, Orr Creek, River Oak, Tree of Life, Waldorf School, and Accelerated Achievement Academy. In order to support a continuous feedback loop of all stakeholders, UUSD working groups were a significant contribution to the development of this plan. In light of the everchanging health and safety landscape under COVID-19, this type of communication is essential for inclusive and transparent planning. UUSD will continue to seek input and feedback from stakeholders through various methods, including: Surveys UTA Working Group Meetings CSEA Parent Feedback Community and Business Partners Parent Meetings (PAC, ELAC, DELAC, etc.) Elected Officials Health and Safety Health and Safety recommendations are based on information from our County Public Health Officer, Center for Disease Control, and other scientific and educational authorities. Cleaning standards and mitigation efforts will align with current recommendations. General Guidelines in Working with COVID-19 COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. It is thought that the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose, eyes, or mouth, causing infection. Therefore, personal prevention practices (such as handwashing, staying home when sick) and environmental cleaning and disinfection are important principles that are covered in this document. Fortunately, there are a number of actions schools can take to help reduce the risk of COVID- 19 exposure and spread during school sessions and activities. Supplies for School Sites and Classrooms to maintain an environment that is as safe as possible and mitigates various risks of transmission. 1. Barriers which include: Gloves, face masks, face shields, goggles. 2. Cleaning Supplies which include: Soap, hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol (for staff and older children who can safely use hand sanitizer), paper towels, tissues, disinfectant wipes, and various custodial cleaning products. 3. Infrared thermometers for no touch screening. Procure enough for every classroom, front office, and health office. Promoting Behaviors that Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 Schools will implement strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19 such as: Stay home when appropriate. This applies to students, staff, parents, and members of the community. Educate staff about when they should stay home, families about when their child(ren) should stay home, and when either staff or a student can return to work or school. Employees and students who are sick or who have recently had close contact (longer than 15 minutes within 6 feet of physical distance) with a person with COVID-19 are to stay home. Students and staff will continue to report their absences when they need to stay home. For staff members, please contact the Human Resources Department if you need to stay home for more than 3 days due to a COVID-19 exposure or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Staff and students will stay home if they or a member of their household has tested positive for or are showing COVID-19 symptoms. Symptom Screening. Make sure families and employees do self-checks daily before coming to school each day. Hygiene Practices. Frequent hand washing (Handwashing), cleaning of surfaces, and using facial coverings (cloth face coverings).The Mendocino County Health Order exempts people from wearing face coverings if they endanger the health or safety of the individual. Wearing gloves when appropriate. This is not a broad based strategy because it only protects the wearer. Staff will wear gloves during the following activities: a. Food service workers and staff in routine contact with the public (front office) should wear gloves. b. Employees engaged in symptom screening, front office and food service personnel, custodial staff for cleaning and disinfecting, staff engaged in using disinfectant products for cleaning, and staff who care for children who require diapering, g-tube feeding, catheterization or any procedure with a child where there is the possibility of coming into contact with their blood or body fluids. c. Wear gloves when it can be reasonably anticipated that contact with respiratory, blood, gastrointestinal fluids or other potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, non-intact (broken) skin, or potentially contaminated intact skin (e.g., of a student incontinent of stool, urine or vomit) could occur. d. Once a task is completed, gloves are removed and hands are washed between each contact or task. Gloves are never used for multiple sequential tasks or with the same patient/client. Hygiene and Etiquette Videos, flyers, and onsite demonstrations will be used to teach and reinforce handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Staff monitors may be placed in all school restrooms to ensure compliance, especially with younger students. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol will be available in classrooms and offices. Children under 9 years old